Push back chair



J. ECKERT ET AL PUSH BACK CHAIR May 15, 1951 Filed DeC. 14, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet lmmmuunmun@ 1 g 46 ,IHM 74? "'I ft J. ECKERT ET AL PUSH BACK CHAIR May 15, 1951 2 Sheets-Shee'rl 2 Filed Dec. 111, 1949 Patented May 15, 1951 PUSH BACK CHAIR Joseph Eckert and Elof P. Klar, Menominee,

Mich., assignors to Heywood-Wakefield Company, Gardner, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Application December 14, 1949, Serial No. 132,952

8 Claims. (Cl. 155-116) This invention relates to improvements in push back chairs and it consists of the matters hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a push back chair of simple construction, in which the seat thereof may be readily moved rearwardly by the occupant to permit the passing of persons in the space between rows of seats, and again be as readily moved forwardly by the occupant without rising from the seat.

Another object of the invention is to provide, in a chair of this kind, a novel arrangement in the supporting linkage for the seat, whereby the seat may 'be readily moved in either direction between its forward and rearward positions and at the same time cause the back to move into that position most comfortable for the occupant, when the seat is in either of its positions.

Also, it is an object of the invention to provide a chair of this kind wherein the parts for supporting the seat and back from the side standards are reduced to a minimum and are so relatively arranged with respect to each other and to the seat and the back as to eliminate the pinching and tearing hazards to the fingers and clothmg.

The above mentioned objects of the invention, as well as others, together with the advantages thereof, will more fully appear as the specification proceeds.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of a theatre type chair embodying the preferred form of the invention, with the seat thereof in its forward position.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view through the chair, as taken on the line 22 and on a scale enlarged over that of Fig. 1, with the seat in its rearward position and with the seat cushion shown only in dotted lines.

Fig. 3 is a detail vertical sectional view, as taken on the line 3 3 and on a scale enlarged over that shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a View similar to Fig. 2 and shows the arrangement of the parts of the chair, when the seat is in the forward position appearing in Fig. 1.

Figs. 5 and 6 respectively are detail horizontal sectional views, as taken on the lines 5-5 and 6-6 respectively of Fig. 2 and on a scale enlarged thereover.

Referring now in detail to that embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, the improved chair includes, among the parts thereof, a pair of laterally spaced upright supports or standards IIJ-l0. In this instance each standard comprises a sheet metal body II, having inturned front and rear margins I2 and I3 respectively. Fixed to the inner face of and extending from top to bottom of each margin is a stiffener bar I t (see Fig. 5). Each bar has a T shaped cross section with the flanges thereof fixed to said margins and with the webs I5 of said bars disposed in the same plane and facing one another. The webs l5 of both bars of each standard are connected together by a vertically edgewise disposed relatively wide metal strap I6, a suitable distance above the bottom of the standard, which is formed to engage upon and be secured in any suitable manner to a supporting surface, such as a floor. At the top of each standard is an arm rest I1. The plate I6 not only stiffens and braces the associated standard, but forms a part xed relatively thereto and from which the seat and back, later mentioned, are supported.

Spaced inwardly from the upper margin of each strap I6 and extending above and below the top edge thereof is a vertically disposed plate I8 mounted for forward and rearward movement. The plates I8 at the sides of the chair are connected together by a tubular reach bar I9. That part 2E! of each plate, rearwardly of the associated end of the reach bar, is offset inwardly from the remainder of the plate, as best shown in Fig. 5.

On the inner face of each plate, toward its front edge, is secured a bracket 2| that includes a downwardly tapering. socket 22. These sockets detachably receive stems 23 depending from opposite sides of a seat bottom 24 in the form of a shallow pan. This pan receives and supports the spring and upholstery assembly 25 of the seat. As this assembly may be of any suitable kind and forms no particular part of the invention, it is not thought necessary to illustrate or describe the same in detail.

The back of the chair, which is indicated as a whole at 26, includes a sheet metal back plate 21 with suitable upholstery 28 on the front thereof. At each side of the back plate, toward the bottom thereof, there is a forwardly extending wing 29, the front end of which is formed as a dow-nwardly and forwardly inclined extension 30. The bottom portion of each wing is pivotally attached as at 3l to the inwardly offset portion 20 of the plate I8 at the same side of the chair. The front of the inclined extension 3D is provided with an outturned flange 32, which is extended to the upper end of the wing and materially stifens the same.

At each side of the sheet is a generally upright supporting link 33, the bottom end of which is pivotally connected at 34 to the bottom margin of the associated strip I6 toward its front end. The upper end of each link 33 is disposed in the plane of the flange 32 of the associated wing 29 and it is pivotally connected thereto as at 35 at the upper end of the extension 30. The links low the seat pan24.-

Also at each side of the seat is a second and pivotal connection 39 is above and slightly forwardly of theg pivotal connection' 34- @ai-id this farms a vercenter lociefdrii me iiiliagefwhich holds th-e seat in the forward position, under the generally upright link 31, disposed inaplane out-r'A weight of the occupant and wherein it slopes wardly from the link 33 at the same side of the seat. that of the associated 1ink 33-andfeachset`of links 33-31 is pivotally connected'tgetherat' a point between the ends thereof, as indicated at l0 38. The bottom end of each link 31 is pivotally connected as at 39 to the front klower. corner of an associated plate I8, and thetop end of each link 31 is pivotally connected asat 40 to the-frontffVA end of an associated radius'` link 4 l. The rear end 15 of fveach radius link, iwhic'h'fis di'spos'edfin' a genf l erallyfhorizontal positiongi's pivotally'connected as` at-42 'to a plate 43 disposed 'in thev upper rearv end cornerV of the associated standard l D.

About midway of each platel there depends 20 from the bottom edge thereof a stud 44 enclosed ini-a cushioning sleeve 45 of-rubber or the `like and which functions, asfthes'eat'is" moved rear-V Wardlyof the chair, toengage against a stop 4S which projects inwardly from the associated Ystrip 25 On the upperfendof the inside of each stand# ardfdisposed; between eachwing 29 and the upper end ofthe associated link-'31;-there'fis'fixed' theretofaguard"plate 4If,-'wl1ich"extends to va position below-the-itop of== thebseat.' This plate conceals the linkage parts in the upper'endfofiv each standard-'andeliminates the-'pinching and tearing-rhazardsfto 'theVillagers'Z and clothing .of''f the`0ccupant if: lyf'trrr' 3,* `'fheffseatf 25- is` shown finsit'srearward'position inn Fig. f2- Vandv in this `Ipositi'ontlie ifront thereof extends a-fshortT distancforwardlyfo the front of` thefstandards vI U-l-l Wandtherback y26 fis "fdispbsedI slightly Vtothefrear ofsthe standaifds vandehasia240 contour (vertically-considered)fthat"matches th rear edges of the standards. i At :thisr time theff'cusliicnst f4'5 "arefV engaged againststhe' "stops: @6^ and-'ithe front edge -of the upper end^ of rboth `lin`ks`^33 are? engagedA with 'the w45 under side of that-part of thefilange'32 "of `theas'' sociatedzwing 29 at the frontfof'the extension'4 3llthereof. In` this l'position' the-seatfsupporting .i plates Yfl 8 areisupportedcbythose .F'parts' off"then linksl3`3r-31fbelow kvthe pivotalfconnectlon `39 and mi' by reason of thet'engagernent'ofthe upper end .offr'i thelinks l'33 with 'the underside 'Tof' the 4flanges '32"' on the wing extensionsf'llfandfbyfreason'of the engagement of thei'cu'shions with their stops W'h'enthe occupanteassume's f a' position 'onthe J5; seat;'fand"the -parts aref'irithe position-*abovevdescribed,y the 4feet-of 1the occupant' are Lengafged'l` upon'ithesupprting 'surface or=or upon'fwhichhf' the chair is Ysupltiortedf' By lexingatl'ekneesfand movingvth'ev body .'fcirwardly;4 the' seat 'isi'shiftedfeo forwardly of 7tlfiestai'idards to .the position shown: infl'igxfd.'Y Inthis movement of the body; the links ''f 33fswiirg toward Va perpendicular A'position and' as the^links` 31 are pivoted'r'th'ereto A"as at Y38., the links 37 :swing abouttheir-pivotal connection "65 with"th'e1radius :links r4 I In'this movement of it. the linkage as the pivotal/connections739'swing forwardly through`-the 'verticalfplane of the` pivL. otal connection 40, the'flinksv '31 willrise slightlyf and-"inithisfmovenient their upper ends :are "70 guided -bythe radius links. f 'When' the links33 hav-e'swung tothe position shown in Fig. 4, theyi will, through thepivotal'- connection `3B, cause thflowerzendsiofthe links131- to swing forwardlyzf:V

and* to a* position fwherein the plane of cach-75;,

Each link 31 has a length greater"tlfiai'ivl *Y l Plate 27, byie'asorioffthe pivotal connections 3l 35 the appendediaims.;

link at each side of the 4seat and pivotallymcn downwardly toward the rear.

"In the forward movement of the seat, the back and 353,'will move-forwardly and into a more inclined position, which will be more comfortable for the occupant.

the occupant rises from the seat, the backs of the legs are so disposed with respect to the--ffrcn't 'that a slight rearward push on the front of the seat will move the axis of the pivotal connection 39 'from a point'forwa'rdly ofthe" ais ofthe pivotal connections v3ft to a pointrearWard ly thereoi'whereby the weight of the unoccupie seat and back will cause them to return to'th position-shown in Fig. 2. Y y

The parts of the'chair are relative1y-'few' 1n' number-'and simple'in construction, and functio"'VV inv a quiet and easy manner and this through al "i most the unconscious actionv of the person to'e-' cupy orleave the chair. l.;

In the illustrations but a single chair 'is's'hown',. in'which event two separate andindependent i standards rare necessary. i Y A Whilev in describing the inventio'nwe have"re` ferred inrdetail 4to the formQconstrction 'andM arrangement of the parts embodied therein, '-tlil san'ieis to be considered only-"inI-the illustrativelf senseY and therefore we do not wish'tobe limited i thereto except as`V may be= spe'incally'setforth 1^." `A push back'chair'4 embodying fthe la? erallyspaced standards, al forwardly andf'r' wardlyfmovfable memberiwardlyoffeaeli' stan ard] fa` seat supportedV at least.- in v"pa'rt -lbyqsaid movable members, ar-` back,` a 'forwardly'extnd ing arm portion at each side of vthe back, means@ pivotally' connecting each 4forwardlyy"extendilflg arinY portion to an associated movablemembe nected at its lower end to one of said 'inovablelk members, means providing a guided movement foitlle upper end of each said linkfa second link at each side of the seat and pivotally *connected at its bottom 'end to aXed-part on standardr on the `same side of the seat and pivotally con'-- nectedat its top end to one of said arm portions, andrmeans pivotally connecting the rst and secif ond-mentioned links at each side of the seat to gether atfpoints between their ends. il K 2. A push back chair embodying thereinlaterally spaced standards, a forwardly and-rear wardly movable member inwardly of each stand ard, a seat supported at least in-'part by said'v movable members, a backg'a, forwardly extending arm portion at each sidev of the"-'back,.mean's pivotally connecting each' forwardly?extending!r arm portion to an associated movable memberf'al link" at each side of the 'seat and' pivotally con-- nectedfat itslower end to' one of said'movable@A members; a substantially horizontally:disposed--1 radius link pivotally connected to.the-upperfendfi'- of eachv link 'and' to axed part of the: A`asso. ciated standard respectively. andJprovidingJ-.a guidedf movement for thexupperfendAof` each;h link, a second link at eachside of thelseat and pivotally connected at'its bottomend to a fixed partfof the standard onthe same side `of the seatL.Y and pivotally connected at its topendf-to oneof said:- arm portionsrifandmeanspivotallyi'con necting the first and second links at each side of the seat together at points between their ends.

3. A push back chair embodying therein laterally spaced standards, a forwardly and rearwardly movable member inwardly of each standard, a seat supported at least in part by said movable members, a back, a forwardly extending arm portion at each side of the back, means pivotally connecting each forwardly extending arm portion to an associated movable member, a link at each side of the seat and pivotally connected at its lower end to one of said movable members, means providing a guided movement for the upper end of each said link, a second link at each side of the seat and pivotally connected at its bottom end to a fixed part on a standard on the same side of the seat and pivotally connected at its top end to one of said arm portions, means pivotally connecting the first and second mentioned links at each side of the seat together at points between their ends, and means carried by at least one of said arm portions and adapted for engagement with a part of the associated second link spaced from its pivotal connection with said arm portion and forming at least a part of a stop for limiting the rearward movement of the seat.

4. A push back chair embodying therein laterally spaced standards, a forwardly and rearwardly movable member inwardly of each standard, a seat supported at least in part by said movable members, a back, a forwardly extending arm portion at each side of the back, means pivotally connecting each forwardly extending arm portion to an associated movable member, a link at each side of the seat and pivotally connected at its lower end to an associated movable member, means providing a guided movement for the upper end of each said link, a second link at each side of the seat and pivotally connected at its bottom end to a xed part on a standard on the same side of the seat and pivotally connected at its top end to one of said arm portions, means pivotally connecting the rst and second mentioned links at each side of the seat together at points between their ends, and means carried by said movable member and arranged for engagement with a part fixed with respect to the adjacent standard and forming at least a part of a stop for limiting the rearward movement of `the same movable member.

5. A push back chair embodying therein laterally spaced forwardly and rearwardly movable members, a seat supported at its sides from said movable members, a back, a forwardly extending arm portion at each side of the back and each pivoted to a movable member, a link at each side of the seat and pivotally connected at its lower end to an associated movable member, means providing a guided movement for the upper end of each said link, a second link at each side of the seat and pivotally connected at its bottom end to a fixed point for a swinging movement and pivotally connected at its top end to an associated arm portion, and means pivotally connecting the rst and second links at each side of the seat together at a point between their ends.

6. A push back chair embodying therein laterally spaced forwardly and rearwardly movable members, a seat supported at its sides from said movable members, a back, a forwardly extending arm portion at each side of the back and each pivoted to a movable member, a link at each side of the seat and pivotally connected at its lower end to an associated movable member, means providing a guided movement for the upper end of each said link, a second link at each side of the seat and pivotally connected at its bottom end to a fixed point for a swinging movement and pivotally connected at its top end to an associated arm portion, and means pivotally connecting thefirst and second links at each side of the seat together at a point between their ends, each of said arm portions including a iange for engagement with a part of the associated second link for limiting the rearward movement of the seat.

'7. A push back chair embodying therein laterally spaced standards including inturned front and rear flanges, a plate connecting the flanges of each standard and arranged inwardly of the body of the latter, a forwardly and rearwardly movable member, inwardly of each plate, a seat supported by said movable members, a back, a forwardly extending arm portion at each side of the back, means pivotally connecting each arm portion to an associated movable member, a link at each side of the seat and pivotally connected at its lower end to an associated movable member, means providing a guided movement for the upper end of each said link, a second link at each side of the seat and pivotally connected at its bottom end to an associated plate and pivotally connected at its top end to an associated arm portion, and means pivotally connecting the first and second mentioned links at each side of the seat together at points between their ends.

8. A push back chair embodying therein laterally spaced standards including inturned front and rear flanges, a plate connecting the flanges of each standard and arranged inwardly of the body of the latter, a forwardly and rearwardly movable member, inwardly of each plate, a seat supported by said movable members, a back, a forwardly extending arm portion at each side of the back, means pivotally connecting each arm to an associated movable member, a link at each side of the seat and pivotally connected at its lower end to an associated movable member, means providing a guided movement for the upper end of each said link, a second link at each side of the seat and pivotally connected at its bottom end to an associated plate and pivotally connected at its top end to an associated arm, means pivotally connecting the first and second mentioned links at each side of the seat together at points between their ends, and coacting means on each movable member for` engagement with a fixed part on the associated plate to limit the rearward movement of the seat.

JOSEPH ECKERT. ELOF P. KLAR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,756,220 Stackpole Apr. 29, 1930 2,098,623 Hard Nov. 9, 1937 2,439,370 Orton Apr. 6, 1948 2,509,739 McDonald May 30, 1950 

